Counseling Children

Course Details

Course Number: COUN 6023 Section Number: 80

Summer I 2011

Location: Ferguson Hall

Classroom Number: 202

Days & Times:

Tuesday and Thursday 5:30-9:9:00

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Dr. Judith Elaine Beechler LPCS, NCC
view Profile »

Course Objectives

Course Description:

This course is designed to explore counseling from the perspective of a child. Emphasis is given to various theoretical approaches to children’s counseling and will include special populations. Additionally, the course contains experiential modalities to assist in the counseling process.

Learning Outcomes:

Identify and utilize various theoretical approaches as they relate to children
Recognize the developmental stage of the child client, i.e. physical, emotional, and social
Recognize themes expressed by the child during the counseling process
Learn to encourage expression through the utilization of play, expressive arts, and games

Course Expectations

Course Requirements

Attendance is mandatory
Students are required to enter and experience the world of the child client through participation in classroom activities
Each student will turn in two taped, either audio or video, sessions with a child
Along with each tape, the student will complete a paper describing the session, the themes expressed by the child, and the modalities utilized

	Reading	Experiential Theme
Week 1	Chapter 6, Person Centered Chapter 14, Play Therapy Chapter 11, Individual Psychology	Play Therapy, puppets
Week 2	Chapter 7, Gestalt Therapy Chapter 5, Brief Counseling	Puppets, Expressive Arts
Week 3	Chapter 17, Group Counseling Chapter 12, Family Counseling	Expressive Art Therapy
Week 4	Chapter 18, Special Concerns Chapter 15, Cultural Concerns Chapter 20, Ethical and Legal Concerns (A brief overview)	Games

Grading Standards

Grading Criteria:

Attendance and Participation 100 points

Tape and Paper 1 100 points

Tape and Paper 2 100 points

Total Points 300 points

300 – 250 points = A

249 – 199 points = B

198 – 149 points = C

148 – 99 points = D

98 and below = F

Submission Format Policy

All written assignments must be submitted on the date assigned and in the APA format.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance is mandatory
In the event of an emergency, the instructor must be notified immediately
Two unexcused absences will result in a failing grade

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.